Friday, December 19, 2014

BMore’s Finest Poised for a Big Year

Baltimore's Finest-2021

Any discussion about elite 2021 teams has to include Baltimore's Finest. I had the pleasure of interviewing Coach Donnell “Mookie”
Dobbins, who in the past three years has built a reputation as one of the most
prolific grassroots basketball coaches in the country. Dobbins is the Grassroots Coordinator and
head coach of the 3rd and 6th grade teams for the Under
Armour sponsored BMore’s Finest program. As most basketball fans know, BMore’s Finest has established itself as one of the premier programs in
the DC/MD/VA area, and the DMV is celebrated as one of the most talented and
competitive regions in the nation.

Coach Mookie was humble when I inquired about his 3rd
grade squad who are currently ranked #5 nationally after a superb showing in
the 2nd grade National Championship Tournament. However
when I mentioned his 6th Grade mob, his eyes lit up like Time Square
on New Years Eve. According to Dobbins, “These boys
are a special group of kids.”The 6th grade Bmore’s Finest team placed 12th in the 5th Grade National
Championship Tournament last season, but with the new aged-based AAU
rule changes, they could be a front runner to win the national title in
2015.The team doesn’t lose any players
from its 2014 loaded roster, a roster that included 6 nationally ranked
players. In fact, half the roster will not return 12 years old until mid 2015!

During the 2013-2014 campaign, this squad successfully swept
the nation collecting championships including the All-Ohio Red Nike Cup (OH),
defeating nationally ranked All Ohio Red, AGAME Super Shootout (PA) and the Rumble in
the Bronx (NYC).Dobbins attributes the
team's overall success to its depth.The
6th grade BMore’s Finest team is amazingly assembled with quick, athletic, small guards like Karell
Booker, Ahmad Harrison and Chase McWhite; a pair of three-point
snipers in Bryce Lindsay and Chris
Winborne and twin towers Malik MissouriandJulian Reese. With the addition of Christian Moore, by way of the Tidewater Wildcats (VA), this may be
one of the most potent teams in the country next season. The team is often identified by its tenacious
ball pressure. Dobbins' defensive philosophy mandates that whoever is in front gets the ball, and always look for the next pass. It’s very rare to find a group of young kids that
understands the importance of making the extra pass, especially when individual
scoring is at the forefront of youth sports.

When asked about his key player, Dobbins mentioned Ahmad Harrison and accredited
such high praise to Harrison because of his competitive nature and
versatility. According to Dobbins, Harrison habitually assumes
responsibility of guarding the opposing team’s best player, while playing all
five positions offensively. In addition, Dobbins pointed out that the awkward multi-positioned point forward has tremendous upside
and will continue to leave his imprint on the circuit if he maintains the
selfless attitude he has exhibited up to this point in his young career. “The sky’s the limit for this team in its entirety; I expect every member of this team to earn a college scholarship and excel both
academically and athletically,” said Dobbins.

When asked is there any other place he’d rather be besides
coaching, Dobbins replied, “If you would’ve asked me this very same question
about 5-6 years ago I would undoubtedly requested another shot at my own
professional basketball career, but in this juncture of my life, aside from my
children, nothing is more gratifying then being able to positively influence
this group of young men and help them develop on and off the court.” Their team chemistry and brotherly bond are
great to watch. If they are coming to a city near you this season, I advise you
to get your popcorn ready. You can catch Bmore's Finest in action in March when the season three of NYBL tips off.